NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 40
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014
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Chick-fil-A seeks to expand in city By DANIELA SORGENTE
SHAWN PAIK/WSN
Currently the only Chick-fil-A in New York City is at Weinstein, but this may change in the near future.
Cult classic ‘Heathers’ becomes musical
INSIDE THIS
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HEATHERS continued on PG. 4
CHICKEN continued on PG. 3
Video gamers explore diversity By CHRISTINA TUCKER
Different Games is an annual student- and volunteer-led conference put on by the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering’s Integrated Media Program and the Georgia Institute of Technology’s Digital Media Program. Held at the NYU MAGNET Center on April 11 and 12, the conference brought attention to the diverse nature of the developer and consumer communities, as well as the possibilities for expanding the subject matter of games. “We believe that our gaming communities are filled with diverse participants, and supporting the visibility of such diversity enhances the experiences of all community members,” the press release said. Panels, talks, workshops and
even correspondents from Boston gaming convention PAX East discussed the ways in which topics such as mental health, sexuality, identity and intersectionality relate to gaming. There were presentations and game demos centered on expanding the way audiences think about and support the development of innovative video games. During Friday evening’s Artist Talks by the 2014 Different Games Fellows, game artists who received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, including fellow Anna Anthropy, spoke about their artistic processes and the ways they aim to challenge conventions with their own projects. “Everyone wants games to be different, but not everyone is willing to give people money for games to be different,” Anthropy said. One notable guest was Mattie
Brice, a game critic, game designer and activist, who spoke about social media activism and the depiction of that environment in games. She focused on the way Twitter and other social media outlets have shaped our ideas of advocacy and identity. “Twitter is its own culture,” Brice said. “Other people from social justice were creating who I was. People were creating my arguments, people were creating my identity, people were creating my entire personhood.” Brice said she plans to use Twine, a game-making tool that uses hyperlinks to enable play and create interactive, text-based games, to depict her own experience of being an advocate on Twitter and the way people can
GAMES continued on PG. 4
SZA releases debut album
Gender inequality in paychecks
Shorter haircuts for spring
“Glitter trap” artist SZA put out “Z,” her debut album, receiving mixed to negative reviews.
The failure of the Paycheck Fairness Act is especially bad for female graduates.
With the warmer weather, shorter hairstyles such as the pixie cut are fresh alternatives.
STORY on PG. 5
STORY on PG. 7
VIA WIKIPEDA.ORG
The mean girls of the ’80s are back — croquet mallets and all. “Heathers The Musical,” a brilliant adaptation of the 1988 cult film with the same name, opened March 31 at New World Stages. The musical follows the relatable story of high school misfit Veronica Sawyer who is taken under the wings of the beguiling and soulless popular girls of Westerberg High — the Heathers. The plot takes an unexpected, dark twist, and the teen angst of Sawyer’s senior year concludes with a few casualties. The electrifying spirit of this production emanates from lead actress Barrett Wilbert Weed,
who plays an incredibly real and compelling Sawyer. Weed’s character is lovable and quirky, and her voice is raw and powerful as she flawlessly executes the musical’s natural dialogue. Alongside Weed, a talented Ryan McCartan plays J.D., a dark yet likable psychopath, as well as Sawyer’s love interest. “Heathers” is intimate and personal, an atmosphere that not all musicals are capable of producing. New World Stages is modern and trendy, and the small theater feels friendly and informal. The simplistic and humble set allows the impeccable acting and vocals to speak for themselves.
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By CAROLINE CUNFER
Chick-fil-A plans to open several new stores throughout the country and in New York City this year, said Chick-fil-A media representative Kim Hardcastle. “Many of the approximately 100 restaurants we open this year will be in urban areas, [but] we have not yet solidified locations in New York City,” Hardcastle said. “Once we have a location identified, we look forward to confirming that we will be able to serve our customers in metro Manhattan.” For many years, the only Chickfil-A — an express venue — in New York City has been in Weinstein food court, attracting students, tourists and controversy. Chick-fil-A came under fire when company president Dan Cathy said he did not support gay marriage in a 2012 statement. Cathy made the statement after reports that he had
STORY on PG. 8
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“The Empire State Building” SCPS professor John Tauranac will discuss his epilogue “The Empire State Building: The Making of a Landmark.” The event will take place in the NYU Bookstore from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
“A More Beautiful Question” Two girls play on the beach in Rio de Janeiro.
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Journalist Warren Berger will talk about his book, “A More Beautiful Question,” and the art of inquiry. The event will take place in the Kaufman Management Center at 6 p.m. TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
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About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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Law debate analyzes gay marriage By JAMISON WILLIAMS
NYU School of Law professor Kenji Yoshino and Heritage Foundation Fellow Ryan Anderson debated the legal implications of United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry on April 15. The NYU chapter of the Federalist Society, the American Constitution Society and the Law and Religion Society organized the event. Based on existing precedents, Yoshino made the argument that same-sex marriage is constitutional while Anderson argued the opposite. Even before the debate began, controversy concerning Anderson’s participation surrounded the event. In an open letter, NYU’s LGBTQ law student organization OUTLaw voiced its concern that the debate would give Anderson a platform to express views that were intolerant and also non-legal in nature. OUTLaw also cited Anderson’s lack of legal training and questioned his legitimacy. Yoshino addressed the controversy by reiterating that the purpose of the debate was to discuss the legal implications of gay marriage. He asked the audience to be respectful of both sides of the issue. The debate was organized into opening arguments, rebuttals and a question-and-answer session. Yoshino analyzed Windsor in his opening argument and said
the two rights at issue were the due process right to marry and the Equal Protection Clause. Yoshino scrutinized the different arguments against same-sex marriage and explained why gay marriage is not unconstitutional. “We are not asking, the plaintiffs [of the Windsor case] and I as an advocate for same-sex marriage, for a separate right for same-sex marriage but rather access to that [same] right,” Yoshino said. Yoshino addressed typical court justifications against same-sex marriage, including optimal child rearing, religious liberties and tradition. Anderson said people on both sides of the policy and the constitutional debates agree that the Windsor case does not provide sufficient backing for Yoshino’s rationales. Anderson said before the debate continues, marriage needs to have a clear definition. “No matter what your definition of marriage is, certain groupings will always be left out,” Anderson said, citing polyamorous groups as an example. Anderson said ancient cultures such as the Romans and Greeks accepted homosexuality but did not incorporate it into their legal definition of marriage. In his rebuttal, Yoshino said he does not advocate for the definition of marriage to stop with same-sex marriage. Yoshino said the Supreme Court needs to set
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Kenji Yoshino is a leading scholar on same-sex marriage. existing paradigms on the definition of marriage and said Anderson’s arguments were not definitively based on legal precedents. In his rebuttal, Anderson said marriages should not be legally or economically privileged above other unions. First-year law student Carter Nelson said the argument was flawed because both pundits approached the same subject from different backgrounds. “I think that was frustrating for both of them,” Nelson said. Yoshino said he hoped the students who attended found it helpful to listen to the legal cases on both sides in a structure where the issues could be explored deeply. “Oftentimes, I have these debates on television or radio, where the format is too brief to vet the issues,” Yoshino said. Jamison Williams is a contributing writer. Email him at news@nyunews.com.
CHICKEN continued from PG. 1
Chick-fil-A’s expansion plan proves divisive for students
donated money to anti-gay-marriage organizations surfaced. Some NYU students strongly opposed Cathy’s actions and started a petition to close the Chick-fil-A at NYU in January 2012. Many New Yorkers have protested the chain’s proposed expansion, announced in USA Today on April 8. LGBTQ groups such as the Empire State Pride Agenda have released statements opposing Chick-fil-A’s growth. GLS sophomore Ashley Slater disagrees with Chick-fil-A’s position on gay marriage but said the company can choose its own political stance. “I make the personal choice not to go there and I will continually make that choice, no matter how many Chick-fil-As are in the city,” Slater said. “They have the right to have their own opinions and expand, but I also have the right to spend my money elsewhere.” Stern freshman Julia Soete said the company should be separate from Cathy’s views. “The owner’s conservative views should be kept separate from the from the company’s ability to expand,” Soete said. Despite the owner’s opposition to same-sex marriage, Tisch junior Brian Blum said he supports the chain’s expansion
in New York City. Blum, who identifies as gay, noted that Chick-fil-A has still offered fair employment opportunities to LGBTQ individuals. “To my knowledge Chick-fil-A has never fired a person for being gay, and the owners of the company are entitled to their own personal beliefs so long as they don’t let their opinions get in the way of equal employment opportunity,” Blum said. Anthony Mcintosh, a freshman at Borough of Manhattan Community College, said he would like to see the restaurant chain expand for an authentic experience that he feels NYU’s franchise does not offer. “I am a long-time fan of the restaurant’s food, and after I moved to [New York City] I was shocked to find out the only Chick-fil-A was at NYU,” Mcintosh said. “My experience trying NYU’s nauseating chicken sandwich with a Chick-fil-A logo on the wrapper was awful, nothing like a chicken sandwich at a real Chick-fil-A store.” Other urban areas the franchise plans to expand into are Chicago and Los Angeles. Daniela Sorgente is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
Research finds greater opportunities for minorities By ANDREW SPOHN
As the importance of increasing academic opportunities for young male minorities has been thrust into the spotlight by the Obama administration, a recently published report on New York City’s Expanded Success Initiative, is shedding light on the effectiveness of such measures. ESI, which was launched in 2012, is the central education element of the city’s larger Young Men’s Initiative, designed to improve health, employment, criminal justice and education for young black and Latino men. The Research Alliance for New York City Schools, housed by the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, published the report after a full year of operation. The study’s lead author, Adriana Villavicencio, said Steinhardt offered its service in the early stages of the research. “Out of the other education institutions in the city, Steinhardt stepped up to house us at the time of [the study’s] inception,” Villavicencio said. The report, titled “Promising Opportunities for Black and Latino Young Men,” relied on data from 38 out of the 40 schools where ESI has been tested — Hurricane Sandy damaged the two schools that were left out.
VIA NYC.GOV
New York City high school students gather to learn more about higher education. “During each visit, we conducted interviews with the principals and ESI design team members, as well as a focus group with three to five 9th-grade teachers,” the report said. “We also used a structured questionnaire for principals or design team members about the details of ESI programming in their school.”
The team’s findings suggest that by implementing more rigorous coursework, increasing funding for workshops and personalizing student-teacher relationships, ESI schools are encouraging students to be more college-focused. However, Villavicencio said she believes the overall success of
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ESI cannot be judged yet. “Though our early implementation findings are promising, we do not yet know for sure if ESI will be a success in terms of student impacts,” Villavicencio said. “However, as a research and design initiative, ESI will be helpful in identifying what works, what doesn’t, for whom
and to what degree. The lessons we learn from ESI and our evaluation can be instrumental for other districts and schools working to improve outcomes for Black and Latino young men.” CAS junior Victoria Salazar, who is involved with the Higher Education Opportunity Program at NYU, said the city and NYU ensure equal opportunity for some, but should do more. “New York City has definitely tried to fix the minority gap at colleges by implementing programs such as CSTEP/HEOP/ EOP/SEEK in public and private schools,” she said. “Unfortunately these programs are only for N.Y. state residents. NYU as well as other colleges should develop opportunities where out of state minorities can be given the opportunity to attend a higher education institute.” As for ESI, the Research Alliance is going to monitor its effectiveness until the program is fully implemented in 2016, with continued NYU involvement. “The Research Alliance will continue to lead this evaluation through the end of the initiative,” Villavicencio said. “I plan to remain on as lead researcher along with one of my co-authors, Sarah Klevan.” Andrew Spohn is a staff writer. Email him at news@nyunews.com.
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HEATHERS continued from PG. 1
GAMES continued from PG. 1
Musical adaptation of ‘Heathers’ leaves no damage The most powerful force in “Heathers” is the exceptionally catchy music. It leaves theatergoers shamelessly singing the same refrain after they leave the building, so audiences will appreciate the forthcoming cast recording. The music is refreshingly moving and uplifting, even in the midst of a rather dark story — an optimal mix of darkness and comedy that director Andy Fickman somehow succeeds in perfecting. From the powerhouse opening number “Beautiful” to the finale reprise of “Seventeen,” there is not one dull musical moment in “Heathers.” “Blue,” a drunken bluesy number sung by two “high school has-beens waiting to happen” leaves the audience in hysterics, and the gorgeous blend of Weed’s and McCartan’s voices in “Seventeen” is genuinely touching. “Heathers” is spunky, raunchy and moving. The curtain call, which involves the cast singing an upbeat reprise of the opening song “Beautiful,” is pure joy and leaves the audience on a musical
VIA BROADWAY.COM
Barrett Wilbert Weed stars as the angsty Veronica Sawyer. theater high. Although it is absolutely unnecessary to have seen the film to be able to enjoy the musical, fans of the movie are sure to be satisfied with the inclusion of beloved lines. “Heathers” is set to run through Sept. 7. Caroline Cunfer is a contributing writer. Email her at theater@nyunews.com.
Poly conference merges video games with diversity interact with strangers, which at one time was impossible. There were several other notable panels, talks and workshops that exemplified the goals of Different Games. “Games and Mental Health,” a workshop and panel run by Toni Pizza, a master’s student at the NYU Game Center and self-proclaimed “game-ish designer,” discussed mental health as it relates to games, as well as the way gaming can support mental and emotional wellness. Pizza is developing a touchscreen game called “Prozac for Breakfast” that replicates the effects of different mental health treatments through text. Beth Rosenberg, an educator on the faculty at Poly in the department of technology, culture and society, ran “Teaching Tech to Tweens/Teens Who Learn Differently.” In this panel, Rosenberg discussed Tech Kids Unlimited, a teaching program in which students aged 7 to 18 with special needs are taught valuable skills in programming, gaming, video production and more in an environment tailored to their needs.
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Brice explained one of the conference’s main points of discussion during “Voices of Queer Advocacy,” a talk specifically addressing LGBTQ visibility in game culture. Speeches focused on the organization of LGBTQ-focused gaming events and the types of communities they foster, as well as the challenges involved in creating these environments. “You have a lot of similar people being given more time and more attention and more visibility than others,” Brice said. The tone of games available
for demo in the arcade ranged from light — such as Jimmy Andrews’ and Loren Schmidt’s “Realistic Kissing Simulator” — to more somber such as “Into Darkness,” a game by Obsessively Complex Dungeon that aims to depict the experience of having Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. All the games were made to challenge the way players approach gaming and the culture surrounding it. Christina Tucker is a contributing writer. Email her at entertainment@nyunews.com.
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‘Tasting Menu’ lacks necessary zest By NORA BLAKE
The highlight of eating at a fancy restaurant is often its delectable and varied menu. Director Roger Gual certainly adopted this philosophy in his latest feature film, “Tasting Menu.” With a multicultural cast, engaging plotline and enticing edible smorgasbord, Gual succeeds in creating a satisfying and aesthetically pleasing film relevant to all who enjoy the simple pleasure of a good meal. Set in an idyllic beach town off the coast of Spain, “Menu” tells a grand tale that involves several interrelated stories that merge at one of the most successful and respected restaurants in the area facing an impending closure. The characters include a recently separated couple who has decided to reunite and discuss loose ends. Meanwhile, an elderly woman wishes to share a last meal with her deceased husband’s ashes. A group of Japanese businessmen travel to experience the final meal, and a crowd of surly American tourists stumble upon the restaurant’s last presentation. These tales, among others, constitute an ambitious and interesting narrative structure that both succeeds and backfires. The film sets up a beguiling story from the beginning, but does not follow through with its intentions. The director wanted to grab the audience’s attention, but dropped it somewhere in the middle of the story. Considering the film’s short length — a mere 85 minutes — Gual should have either made a longer film or
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SZA’s debut album hits sour note By PETER SLATTERY
COURTESY OF MAGNOLIA PICTURES
Vicenta N’Dongo plays Mar in Roger Gual’s latest film. taken better care to develop the story from beginning to end. Nevertheless, the audience will easily grow fond of the large ensemble cast. The characters represent a diverse range of nations and cultures. Each personality brings a unique flavor to the film, making the experience all the more entertaining. However, much like Gual’s choice of direction in the narrative, there is a lack of character evolution, which hinders a complete understanding of the onscreen players. Even with a somewhat underdeveloped storyline, Gual takes incredible care to direct focus toward the most impressive element of his film — the food. Because a large portion of the narrative focuses on characters
engaged in meals, the audience is enraptured by the delicious fare. Tasteful shots of each course in the meal provide a refined touch to the already polished atmosphere of the restaurant. Often, the shared experience of eating in this establishment unifies the story better than the nonlinear storyline does. Though Gual’s direction often dilutes a potential connection between the audience and characters, his film creates a sense of unity wherein viewers can relate to the delight of an excellent meal. From a purely savory perspective, “Tasting Menu” inevitably leaves the audience in a state of bliss. Nora Blake is a staff writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
Coming off the heels of two successful EPs, “See.SZA.Run” and “S,” American artist SZA released her debut album, “Z,” on April 8. SZA is the latest artist to sign with independent L.A. rap label Top Dawg Entertainment, joining a powerhouse lineup including Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock and Isaiah Rashad. While “Z” is a fine album and an interesting departure from Top Dawg’s usual fare, SZA’s latest project feels somewhat static and lacks charisma. SZA refers to her music as “glitter trap,” which is an apt description of the sound. Most of her beats heavily feature subdued trap drums and shiny synths with the singer’s vocals layered in. Instead of using Top Dawg’s in-house production team Digi+Phonics, the album is produced by a variety of beat makers including Toro Y Moi and Larry Fisherman, Mac Miller’s production alias. There are a few disco-esque tracks, but “Z’s” instrumentals are generally darker and murkier compared to those in her previous EPs. When SZA’s vocals shine over the atmospheric mix — as they do on “Warm Winds” and “HiiiJack” — listening to “Z” is a pleasant, head-bobbing experience. However, tracks including “Green Mile” and “Babylon” lose SZA’s crisp voice in favor of smokedout, moaning vocal arrangements, leading to skippable songs. Lyrically, “Z” has some interesting moments of specificity — “Your skin tastes like Brussels sprouts, I swear,” she croons on albumopener “Ur” — but generally the lines remain ambiguous.
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SZA does not invite listeners into her world with literal scenes like her label-mates Isaiah Rashad and Schoolboy Q did with “Cilvia Demo” and “Oxymoron,” respectively. Yet, her lyrics are certainly evocative, drawing up certain feelings with each track. Where exactly SZA will go from here is an interesting question because the “glitter trap” genre is getting somewhat tired. Her track “Child’s Play,” which is basically a rip of XXYYXX’s “About You” without the interesting vocal sample and heavy synth drop, might best encompass SZA’s current “glitter trap” aesthetic, but it is also one of “Z’s” most snooze-worthy tracks. “Child’s Play,” like a few other songs on “Z,” just does not go anywhere. It is a nice, polished interlude, but it lacks driving force behind it. Some might argue that tracks like “Child’s Play” are intentionally uneventful and that SZA’s muted atmosphere is the point of her special brand of hazy R&B. Regardless, it is not very compelling music. There is a fine line between keeping things seductively simple and keeping things boring, and SZA is leaning toward the latter on much of “Z.” One exception is her warm, retro riff on Marvin Gaye’s “Mandota” titled “Sweet November.” The song hits all the right notes — perhaps it is a sign that SZA could be successfully recast as a fusion neo-soul jazz singer. This is not to say that such a direction is necessarily the right move, but SZA will need to spice things up for her next project to hold listeners’ attention. Peter Slattery is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
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Crossword ACROSS 1 White breakfast beverage 5 Orange breakfast beverage 10 Tan breakfast beverage 13 Blunted blade 14 What a “V” signals to a violinist 15 Sock 17 Middle of a simile 18 Work like a dog 19 Body lotion brand 20 Admonition to the overly curious 22 Nut often found on a sticky bun 23 Agitated state 24 Ungentlemanly sort 25 R. E. Lee’s org. 28 Like some shopping 31 Best-liked, in chat rooms 34 Kid’s retort
36 Words said while tapping on a watch 38 “I’m buying!,” at a bar … or a hint to this puzzle’s theme 41 Good-looking person? 42 “10” star 43 Density symbol 44 Alternative to pasta 47 Agcy. for retirees 48 “___ Misérables” 49 They build up in pores 51 Rainbow-shaped 54 Story threads 59 Bet 60 Fire-starting aid 61 ___ bene 62 One of Isaac’s twins 63 Start of an elimination rhyme 64 Endor denizen 65 Fizzy dinner quaff
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66 Plain dinner quaff 67 Genteel dinner quaff DOWN 1 Product of fermenting honey 2 ___ facto 3 Not marbled, say 4 Jonathan and Martha of Smallville 5 Newly arrived 6 Pulling an all-nighter, e.g. 7 Letter-shaped construction component 8 Pirate hide-out, often 9 Meadow mother 10 Clucked 11 G.E. component: Abbr. 12 Halo, e.g. 16 Clear libation popular in England 21 Hornswoggled 22 Cutout toy 24 Knocked-out state 25 Product of fermenting apples 26 England’s Fergie, formally 27 Bud in the Southwest 29 Fifth-century pope called “the Great” 30 Before, briefly 31 Trey beaters 32 Moorehead of “Citizen Kane” 33 Clear libation popular in Russia
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35 Presenter of 48 Was a prelude many a spoof, for (to) short 50 Muscle 37 Stocking stuffer? connector 39 Six, in Seville 51 Product of 40 Old-timey fermenting barley agreements 45 Nickname for the 52 Speak like a tough guy, say $2 Canadian coin
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55 Dryer fuzz 56 “___ get it!” 57 School for James Bond 58 Clear libation popular in Japan
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STAFF EDITORIAL
Misuse of Tasers jeopardizes safety
By DAN MORITZ-RABSON Nearly 10,000 police forces across the United States have begun equipping officers with Tasers in recent years. Although these weapons supposedly offer a non-lethal alternative to conventional firearms, officers seem to be more likely to discharge their Tasers because the results are generally less drastic. While Taser discharge is typically not as harmful as a gunshot, the body spasms that often occur from the 50,000 volts of electricity entering the body can cause a person to fall and get injured. The problem is not the fall or loss of balance itself, but rather an individual’s inability to regain balance or break the fall as he is being tased. The inability to maintain balance may cause scrapes, cuts, fractures and sometimes even broken bones as the Taser victim hits the ground. The increase in Taser discharge calls into question whether police officers are exercising necessary caution before using their weapons. While police officers often find themselves in difficult situations that require quick decision-making, certain cases of Taser discharge seem completely unnecessary. For example, a Texas police officer tased a student as he attempted to break up a fight last November. As a result of the officer’s use of the stun gun, the student fell and hit his head, which resulted in severe hemorrhaging. In another case, a legal complaint in North Carolina cites an officer allegedly discharging his Taser three times on a disabled 15-year-old, which caused punctured lungs. The use of Tasers on certain high school and college campuses has fueled a debate in which protesters argue vehemently for the prohibition of Tasers on school campuses.
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As demonstrated by the Texas and North Carolina cases, discharge can cause grave injury to students. Given the injuries that can result from Taser discharge, equipping officers with Tasers on school campuses reflects poor judgment by police forces. Rather than creating a safer community that enables officers to protect students, providing these weapons to officers can make campuses more dangerous. Although unexpected catastrophes such as shootings can occur on campuses, Tasers cannot realistically dispel these violent threats successfully. While the use of a Taser can potentially diffuse tense situations, the frequency with which officers discharge the weapons can be dangerous. Students deserve a safe learning environment and accepting Tasers or similar weapons for use on school property jeopardizes this campus safety. Prohibiting Tasers on college campuses is the best option for preventing unnecessary discharge. Regardless of whether faulty discharges take place on the streets or on high school and college campuses, officers should take responsibility for faulty discharges and face disciplinary action when they occur. However, some recent cases point to flaws in the prosecution of police officers who act outside their jurisdiction. For example, a Bay Area Rapid Transit officer shot and killed Oscar Grant while arresting him in 2009. After claiming that he confused his gun with his Taser, the officer initially received a sentence of two years for involuntary manslaughter. Ultimately, the officer only served 11 months of this sentence before being released. While judges and juries should consider the difficulty of a police officer’s position when making a verdict and sentencing the de-
Pay inequity hurts female college graduates
fendant, they should not absolve officers from prosecution when unnecessary discharges endanger civilians. Although some officers convicted of serious misconduct actually do receive significant sentences, Grant’s case speaks to disturbing shortcomings in the judicial system’s prosecution of police officers. Instead of holding the Bay Area Rapid Transit officer — who was supposed to be trained to serve and protect the public — accountable for the severity of his actions, he was given a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. This precedent could lead to more irresponsible actions from police officers. Cases involving the prosecution of officers often result in monetary settlements granted to victims of police brutality rather than systemic changes for police training that demonstrate the repercussions of misuse of power, which can further perpetuate abused authority. Police forces exist to enforce laws and protect citizens from individuals who violate laws and thereby endanger others. Responsibility accompanies these duties. When these trusted officers use potentially lethal devices irresponsibly — whether Tasers, guns or other weapons — they pose a risk to the general public. Not all cases of misuse of authority present themselves clearly, but in cases where officers blatantly abuse their power, justice should prevail. When police officers themselves, in or out of uniform, cease to protect justice and instead violate the rights of others, they must bear the consequences of their actions as any other citizen would. Dan Moritz-Rabson is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
The recent defeat of the Paycheck Fairness Act has revived the national debate about the gender gap. Despite the Democrats’ push, the legislation fell six votes short of passing in the Senate. In a recent memorandum, the GOP called the PFA a “desperate political ploy” that lacked “real solutions.” Republicans also questioned the validity of the statistic that women earn 77 cents for every dollar a man makes, saying this figure does not account for differences in experience and industry. Those opposing the PFA contend that it would open companies up to increased litigation and place financial strain on businesses, as they would have to raise wages for women who earn less money than their male counterparts in order to avoid lawsuits. Although this position presents a valid argument, it overlooks the problem of gender inequality in the workplace. Legislators should prioritize the promotion of equality over the short-term financial prosperity of businesses. Rep. Marsha Blackburn defended Republicans and said the notion of the GOP waging a war on women was “almost silly” before insisting that the GOP has led the way for women’s rights. Blackburn’s defense is ridiculous. While Blackburn is entitled to her opinion, her comments demonstrate her ignorance of women’s issues. Women should be united in the effort to achieve equality, not divided and defensive of actions that hinder their cause. In spite of the GOP’s contention, studies actually show a disparity among male and female workers in a significant demographic — college graduates. According to a 2012 study by the American Association of University Women that analyzed wage inequity between men and women one year after their college commencement, female college students graduate into an inherent pay gap. The study, which approached the disparity using a variety of potential factors, found that men consistently earned more than women. This statement applies to men and women who majored in the same field. For example, the research found that a female business major earned just over $38,000 whereas a male business major made just over $45,000. Differences in institution type and university selectivity also did little to explain the inequality in earnings. This wage discrepancy is harmful to all women, but it can be especially detrimental when female graduates pay their student loans. This harsh reality is particularly applicable to NYU students, where the ratio of women to men on campus is three to two. NYU also has one of the most expensive tuition rates in the nation and graduated students with more student debt than any other American university in 2011, excluding for-profit institutions. Our female students pay the same amount for an NYU degree as men do — they deserve to reap the same benefits for equal work.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Peter Keffer (Chair), Christina Coleburn (Co-chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Nina Golshan (Co-chair)
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
BEAUTY & STYLE
EDITED BY DANA RESZUTEK BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Sunglasses to brighten up any look By YUJIN RYEO
As we head into warmer months, sunglasses are becoming necessary accessories for protecting our eyes, but they can also act as bold statement pieces to jazz up any spring or summer outfit. Mirrored sunglasses have been trendy for a couple of years now, but have blown up in Spring/Summer 2014 trends with designers, such as Versace, introducing their own version, as well as numerous street-style bloggers and models wearing them in public. The mirrored lenses promote a futuristic space-age vibe and are the perfect accessories to top off a fun ensemble. Ray Bans gave their classic aviators a twist with their Aviator Flash Lenses that come in colors including yellow, orange, blue, green, silver and copper. Such iconic frames suit most types of faces, whether you consider your face to be oval- or rectangle-shaped. If the price range for the original Ray Bans is overwhelming, stores such as Urban Outfitters and Express carry similar yet affordable versions ($16). Another trend to look out for is soft cat-eyed frames. Unlike regular cat-eyed sunglasses, this type of frame lessens the boldness of the style, creating a flirty and cute shape. Like aviators, cat-eyed frames flatter any type of face shape and are a playful design suitable for the warm weather. Australian sunglasses brand Quay’s Kittie Cat-Eye sunglasses are reasonably priced and come in different shades, such as white, pink, brown
Shorter styles, cooler cuts for warm weather By LINDSAY LEBOYER
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Affordable shades complement spring outfits. and black ($40). The Kitties are a great pair of sunglasses for those who want to achieve a retro yet modern look for the spring and summer. If you are willing to be more daring with your choice of sunglasses, circle-framed glasses are a great option. However, people with round faces should avoid these glasses because it can accentuate the roundness of the face and create an unflattering image. With these high-fashion frames, try to aim for an outfit that will make your unusual eyewear the
center of attention. The jeans-andT-shirt look is simple but chic and lets onlookers focus on the awesome shades. ASOS and Topshop carry various types of affordable circle frames with different patterns, colors and lenses ($30-40). Finding the right pair of sunglasses can be tricky, but take risks and have fun exploring different types of frames for your face. After all, isn’t experimentation the fun part of fashion? Yujin Ryeo is a contributing writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
With spring comes a certain air of freedom. This sense of liberation creates a more laidback attitude toward fashion and beauty. Taking a cue from celebrities and models, stylish students on campus are testing out shorter hairstyles to suit the warmer weather. For a cut that will instantly turn heads, look no further than the pixie. Icons such as Edie Sedgwick and Mia Farrow established this androgynous look in the ’60s, but make no mistake, pixie cuts are incredibly modern. Trendsetters, including Emma Watson, Jennifer Lawrence, Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron, have all received drastic cuts in recent years, a refreshing change from Hollywood’s endless parade of weaves and extensions. A boyish pixie with soft layers, as seen on rising star Shailene Woodley, is chic yet low maintenance. Woodley credits minimal shampooing as the key to her effortless hairstyle, perfect for busy students seeking an uncomplicated routine. CAS freshman Sasha Atlas opted for a shorter cut earlier this season, discarding her shoulder-length locks in favor of a sharp bob. “I was inspired by Miley Cyrus circa 2012,” Atlas said. Prior to her controversial undercut, Cyrus sported an ombré bob that grazed her collar bones. “I love having my hair shorter. It’s hassle-free, which is essential for me,” Atlas said. Atlas plans on growing out her bob once temperatures cool, but she said she would consider emulating Cyrus’ current bleachblonde pixie next time around.
For those in search of a local salon, Atlas recommends WS Hairstyling on Laguardia Place, which offers a 20 percent discount for students. Another popular style this spring is the jaw-length crop with sideswept bangs. Supermodel Karlie Kloss debuted this look in Vogue, and the magazine dubbed it “the Karlie chop,” or simply “the chop.” Less dramatic than a pixie but nonetheless impactful, this versatile cut looks cool and casual with a beachy wave or sleek and polished with a drop of shine serum. Following Kloss’s lead, models Edie Campbell and Soo Joo Park have embraced “the chop” to direct their careers to high fashion. Campbell put her own spin on the look with a choppier texture and jet black hue while Park achieved an artful blonde shag with the help of famed hairstylist Christiaan. Besides offering an easier upkeep, short hairstyles allow for endless experimentation with spring accessories. A floral headscarf can add bohemian flare to any pixie cut, while a knotted turban could complement an edgy bob. For the benefit of sun protection, try topping shorter styles with a straw fedora. A little bit of fringe peeking out from the brim would look incredibly chic while lounging by the arch or strolling through the West Village. When the spring rays turn into sweltering summer heat, try pulling layers off of the face with an elegant pin. The season looks bright for every cut under the sun. Lindsay Leboyer is a contributing writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Students sport brand-name sneakers in latest fashion trend By MAGGIE O’NEILL
This season, tennis shoes have proven to be a comfortable option and also a very chic element to accompany outfits of all types. Designers such as Chanel have made sneakers more glamorous than before. Considering that one pair of Chanel high tops costs $950, it is important to keep in mind that there are many more affordable options that are trendy as well. Many students around campus have been seen sporting New Balance sneakers. New Balance offers a wide variety of colors and styles and many of their shoes are budget-friendly, staying in the $100 range. New Balance offers shoes for running, walking, cross-training, hiking, casual athletics and other sports. Another brand in the sneaker spotlight is Nike. Nike Frees are
becoming increasingly popular. There are multiple types of Nike Frees, including sportswear and training shoes. Customized options can be expensive, but the basic Nike Frees, which come in various colors, are reasonably priced (from $100). They are sure to last a long time thanks to the brand’s high quality. High tops have never quite gone out of style since they hit the scene when Chuck Taylor All Stars became a trend in the 1960s. Still available in their original form today, these Converse shoes are a sensible option for many reasons. One selling point is that the prices are practically unbeatable, with many styles around $50. Chuck Taylors typically go with almost anything — the same pair can be worn with denim shorts and a T-shirt or a floral print sundress. Another classic option is Vans. Known for being durable, simple
and appropriate for all ages, Vans can be a staple of any person’s shoe closet. The Vans Silhouettes come in various different styles, including low top, slip-on, high top, original classic and mid-top ($45-60). After choosing a style, one can choose from either a diverse group of solid colors or a pattern. Prominent choices include the animal print, floral print, checkerboard and striped patterns. The shoes also come in an impressive range of materials. One can choose from canvas, neon, metallic, leather, glitter, novelty and suede. Finally, Ash sneakers have been trending due to the normcore style. Bulky with obnoxious animal print and camouflage patterns, a pair of chunky Ash slip-ons can spice up any casual ensemble that lacks a little detail (from $200). Some Ash sneakers, such as the Ash Bowie hidden wedge sneaker and the Ash cool sneaker, include heels
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Sneakers are making a comeback this season. to combine amenity with high fashion for an upbeat streetstyle look. While slightly more expensive than other tennis shoe options, these are sure to
draw attention when matched with any outfit. Maggie O’Neill is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.